Yes, you absolutely can wear two gloves in golf. While the tradition and standard practice dictate using only one glove, wearing two golf gloves is a completely permissible choice. Many golfers question this practice, seeking to know if there is a benefit to wearing two golf gloves. This article dives deep into the reasons why a golfer might choose to wear golf glove layering, the advantages and disadvantages, and how this choice compares to the standard one glove vs two golf gloves debate.
The Standard Golf Glove Rule and Tradition
Most golfers use just one glove. This glove is usually worn on the non-dominant hand—the golf glove on lead hand. For a right-handed golfer, this means the left hand gets the glove. For a left-handed golfer, it’s the right hand.
Why only one? Golf is a game of feel. The hand that grips the club firmer and needs the most protection from blisters and slippage (the lead hand) gets the glove. The trail hand needs more direct contact with the club for feel and subtle movements.
However, tradition does not equal mandatory rule. There is no official rule in golf stating you must only wear one glove.
Deciphering the Choice: Why Golfers Consider Two Gloves
The decision to move from the standard single glove to using golf glove on both hands often stems from specific physical needs or performance goals. Let’s explore the main drivers behind this less common choice.
Comfort with Two Gloves: Addressing Cold and Moisture
One of the most common reasons for choosing the second golf glove purpose is environmental comfort.
Cold Weather Play
When temperatures drop, fingers can become stiff and numb quickly. A single glove simply isn’t enough insulation. Wearing a second glove acts as an extra layer of insulation. This is a simple form of golf glove layering.
- Pros in Cold: Better warmth retention, leading to more flexible fingers.
- Cons in Cold: Thicker grip, which might feel clumsy.
Managing Excessive Sweat
Some golfers struggle with excessively sweaty hands, even in moderate weather. If the standard single glove becomes soaked, it loses its grip and can actually increase slippage. Adding a second glove can help wick away moisture from the trail hand.
- The inner glove absorbs sweat, keeping the outer glove drier for a longer period.
- This can improve overall grip improvement with two gloves if sweat is the primary problem.
Examining the Pros of Wearing Two Golf Gloves
If a player chooses golf glove on both hands, they are usually looking for specific performance or comfort gains.
Enhanced Grip Security (For Some)
For players who feel their trail hand slips easily, a second glove offers a more secure feel. This is especially true if the golfer has slick hands or grips the club very lightly.
The benefit of two golf gloves here is creating a consistent, non-slip surface across both palms.
| Factor | Single Glove (Lead Hand Only) | Two Gloves (Layered) |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Hand Grip | Maximum direct feel, high reliance on glove material. | High friction, potentially masking internal grip feedback. |
| Trail Hand Grip | Direct feel, crucial for control and release. | Enhanced friction, reduced tactile feedback. |
| Moisture Control | Single layer protection. | Dual layer absorption and wicking. |
Blister Prevention Across Both Hands
While the lead hand is most prone to blisters from friction, some high-volume players develop them on the trail hand, especially if they have a very tight or fast grip. Wearing two gloves ensures total skin protection. This is a significant alternative to single golf glove use for injury-prone players.
Consistent Feel and Texture
Some golfers simply prefer the identical feel of the glove material on both hands. They might find that the feel of bare skin on one hand compared to the leather or synthetic material on the other is distracting. Wearing two provides a uniform texture for both hands on the club.
Investigating the Cons of Wearing Two Golf Gloves
Despite the potential benefits, most golfers stick to one glove for very good reasons. The drawbacks often outweigh the advantages for the average player.
Loss of Feel and Feedback
This is the biggest hurdle when exploring golf glove layering. Golf requires precise pressure control. The trail hand, in particular, needs to “feel” the clubhead through impact. An extra layer of material significantly dulls this sensitivity.
- Reduced ability to feel clubface angle changes.
- Difficulty sensing grip pressure variations.
Bulk and Restricted Movement
Two gloves take up more space inside the hand. This added bulk can make the grip feel too large, forcing the player to choke down on the club or grip too tightly to compensate. This often leads to tension in the forearms, which kills swing speed.
Heat and Overheating
Unless it is freezing outside, wearing two gloves traps significantly more heat. Hands sweat more, making the gloves quickly damp and heavy. This leads to the very slippage they were meant to prevent. If heat is the issue, a better single glove or a rain glove might be a better alternative to single golf glove use.
Cost and Durability
You are instantly doubling your equipment cost for gloves. Furthermore, since both hands are covered, both gloves will wear out at the same rate, meaning you replace your entire set of gloves twice as often.
How to Layer Golf Gloves Effectively (If You Choose To)
If a golfer decides that wearing two golf gloves is the right path, proper technique for golf glove layering is important to maximize benefits and minimize drawbacks.
Choosing the Right Pair
You should not simply use two thick winter gloves. The goal is moisture management and slight added cushion, not bulk.
Inner Glove (Liner Glove)
This glove should be thin, flexible, and highly breathable. Often, synthetic or very thin spandex-style gloves work well here. Its main job is wicking sweat away from the skin.
Outer Glove (Performance Glove)
This is the main glove. It should fit perfectly, as it is crucial for the primary grip. It should have good tackiness. Some players choose a slightly thinner performance glove if they are layering, to compensate for the added material.
Positioning the Layering
Ensure the inner glove sits smoothly inside the outer glove without bunching up, especially around the fingers and palm crease. Bunching is the fastest route to blisters and poor control.
Comparing Single Glove vs. Two Gloves: Scenarios
Let’s look at specific scenarios where the choice between one glove vs two golf gloves becomes clearer.
Scenario 1: The Standard Sunny Day Golfer
Recommendation: Single Glove.
Reasoning: Maximum feel is required for consistent ball striking. The lead hand needs protection, and the trail hand needs sensory feedback.
Scenario 2: The Golfer Playing in 30°F Weather
Recommendation: Two Gloves.
Reasoning: The performance benefits of warmth far outweigh the slight loss of feel. The benefit of two golf gloves in cold weather is undeniable for maintaining hand dexterity.
Scenario 3: The Golfer with Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)
Recommendation: Two Gloves (with moisture-wicking liner).
Reasoning: If sweat causes immediate slippage with one glove, the layered approach offers temporary relief by managing moisture transfer to the outer layer. This provides the best shot at grip improvement with two gloves under wet conditions.
Scenario 4: The Golfer Seeking Absolute Consistency
Recommendation: Debatable, but often Two Gloves works better initially.
Reasoning: If a player struggles mentally with the difference between bare skin and leather, uniform feel provided by golf glove on both hands can build confidence, even if feel is slightly diminished.
Addressing the Trail Hand Grip
The lead hand dictates the grip pressure and alignment. The trail hand regulates the release, timing, and clubface control through impact.
For those using the second golf glove purpose purely for moisture control on the trail hand, ensure the outer glove is not overly padded. A thin rain glove on the outside might be a good compromise, offering grip when wet but minimal bulk.
If the primary concern is blisters on the trail hand, the player must seriously consider why that hand is rubbing. Is the grip too tight overall? Is the club whipping too hard through impact? Sometimes, the two-glove solution masks a deeper swing flaw related to grip technique.
The Role of Glove Material in the Two-Glove Decision
The type of material used drastically influences the comfort with two gloves.
- Cabretta Leather: Very soft and molds well, but poor in water. Layering two thin cabretta gloves might work well if the weather is dry but cool.
- Synthetic Materials: More durable and better when wet. Layering two synthetic gloves often results in the slipperiest scenario once they get damp from sweat, as synthetic materials become slicker than leather when saturated.
- Hybrid Gloves: These often combine leather palm and synthetic back. Layering these can create odd pressure points if the materials don’t align well.
For successful golf glove layering, the inner glove should almost always be a very thin, highly stretchable synthetic material designed specifically as a liner.
Performance Implications: Swing Mechanics and Two Gloves
How does wearing golf glove on both hands affect the physics of the swing?
When a golfer wears one glove, the trail hand often maintains a slightly more active role through impact, using the bare skin to “slide” or release the club naturally. This natural release is key to generating clubhead speed without hanging onto the club too long.
Adding a second glove increases static friction on the trail hand. This increased friction can cause:
- Hanging On: The golfer might hold onto the club longer than ideal, leading to pulls or hooks (if the face stays closed too long).
- Tension: To overcome the extra friction, the golfer might tense up the trail arm muscles. Tension slows down the swing and causes erratic shots.
This is why professional golfers almost universally avoid wearing two golf gloves—the loss of timing feedback is too detrimental to high-level control.
Conclusion on Wearing Two Golf Gloves
The question, “Can you wear two gloves in golf?” has a definitive “Yes.” However, the more pertinent question is, “Should you?”
For the vast majority of amateur golfers playing in moderate conditions, sticking to the tradition of a single glove on the lead hand provides the best balance of protection, grip security, and crucial feel.
However, if you are severely affected by cold, persistent moisture, or specific friction injuries that a single glove cannot mitigate, experimenting with golf glove layering using thin liners might offer a viable alternative to single golf glove use. Always test this setup extensively before relying on it during competitive play to ensure the grip improvement with two gloves truly outweighs the loss of tactile feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Golf Gloves
Is it illegal to wear two golf gloves in golf?
No, it is not illegal. Golf rules focus on fair play, equipment standards, and pace of play. How many gloves you wear is entirely up to the player’s personal preference or comfort needs.
What is the main purpose of the second golf glove?
The main purpose is usually insulation in cold weather or added moisture management if the golfer sweats heavily. It serves as a protective or insulating layer beyond the standard single glove.
Does wearing two gloves improve swing speed?
Generally, no. The added bulk and increased friction from golf glove layering often lead to a slight reduction in swing speed due to increased tension or inhibited natural release mechanics.
If I wear two gloves, which hand should wear the tighter glove?
The outer glove on the lead hand should still be the tightest fitting, as this hand carries the most load. However, if you are wearing liners, ensure the liner fits perfectly inside the performance glove on both hands to avoid wrinkles.
What is a good alternative to wearing two golf gloves for cold weather?
If you want warmth without the bulk of a second glove, consider:
1. Wearing thin thermal liner gloves before you start playing, and removing them for your swing.
2. Using golf mittens between shots to keep hands warm.
3. Investing in higher-quality, insulated, cold-weather specific golf gloves.